Population

British Columbia’s population is the third fastest growing in Canada and is now over 4 million. The population increased 5.3 percent between 2001 and 2006. The growth was due almost entirely from in-migration from other countries. More than three-quarters (77%) of the immigrants to BC over the 1996 to 2001 period were from Asian countries, followed by European countries (12%) and North and Central America (4%).

The population of Penticton is 31,909 and the greater Penticton population is 43,313 (Statistics Canada, Census 2006). The rapid growth which occurred in the mid-1990s has been tempered with a more manageable, slow but steady increase. It is anticipated growth will average about 1 to 2 percent per annum over the next five years within the greater Penticton area.

Slightly higher growth can be expected in the outlying areas due to their lower base population and availability of less expensive and developable land.

The pleasant climate of the south Okanagan makes the area a popular place to retire that contributes to a median age of the population which is higher than the provincial median age. Net migration to the area will continue to be high and population growth is expected to be strong through the next two decades.

Population Distribution

Area Population
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 79,475
City of Penticton 31,907
Greater Penticton 43,313

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2006

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Population Age Distribution

Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District

Age Grouping (years) Male Female Total
0 – 14 5,315 5,390 10,695
15 – 24 4,185 3,965 8,155
25 – 44 7,060 7,940 15,000
45 – 54 5,985 6,620 12,600
55 – 64 5,790 6,355 12,145
65 + 9,830 11,040 20,870
Total 38,165 41,310 79,475

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2006

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Greater Penticton

Age Grouping (years) Male Female Total % of Total
0 – 19 4,405 4,190 8,590 19.8
20 – 64 11,410 12,560 23,965 55.3
65 + 4,855 5,905 10,750 24.8
Total 20,665 22,650 43,310 100.0

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2006

Population Gender Distribution – Greater Penticton (2006 Census)

Population Projections

The pleasant climate of the south Okanagan makes the area a popular place to retire. This contributes to a median age of the population which is higher than the provincial median age. Net migration to the area will continue to be high and population growth is expected to be strong through the next two decades.

Population Projections for Okanagan-Similkameen

Age 2010 2015 2020 2025 2031
0 – 14 10,744 11,670 12,888 13,076 12,526
15 – 24 9,514 8,607 7,848 8,298 9,715
25 – 34 10,018 10,904 10,102 9,178 8,422
35 – 44 8,832 10,339 12,809 13,670 12,627
45 – 54 12,640 11,459 10,781 12,351 15,106
55 – 64 12,377 13,837 14,161 13,096 12,652
65+ 21,841 23,856 26,387 29,139 31,476
Total 85,966 90,672 94,976 98,808 102,524

Source: BC Stats, Population Section, May 2005

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Family Structure

Family Characteristic Greater Penticton % of Greater Penticton British Columbia % of British Columbia
Total number of families 12,905 n/a 1,161,420 n/a
Number of married couple families 9,355 72.5 844,430 72.7
Number of lone-parent families 1,940 15.0 175,160 15.1
Number of common-law couple families 1,605 12.4 141,825 12.2

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population 2006

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